Many years ago, as an undergraduate studying physical education, I wrestled with cadavers and dissected muscles, tendons, and fascia. I analyzed human movement, musculoskeletal function, and the individual physical experience. Later, I applied this scope to a master’s degree in dance therapy.
Even with this academic background, balance had a way of undoing me. When performing others’ and my own dance choreography in New York City, I was confident on the stage until the dreaded moment I was to hold a shape and balance just the right number of counts to sync with a partner. To cope with my terror I became very good at improvising a beat or two to disguise losing my balance!
In my ensuing fitness work as a personal trainer, I saw trends shift from aerobic dancing to Pilates, and from yoga to spinning, and now, to balance training. Strewn around the gym are all manner of unstable apparatus: Bosu equipment, half foam rollers, standing cushioned pads and more. Even Stephen Curry is shooting hoops on a wobble board. Balance is the present training edge.
Born a baby boomer, and now a member of the largest population of senior citizens in the country, I have heard all the stories and fears about balance and falling—the scary statistics that accompany the ageing phenomenon. I had to investigate.
I researched the physiology and kinesiology of balance, the studies for risk factors and predictors of falling, and applied methods to my own balance challenges. I thought and wrote about the psychological perception of balancing—pontificating, philosophizing.
Better Balance for Life is the result; it is paired down and absolutely digestible. It is a workbook progression applied to improve balance.
Try the Ten Week Plan and let me know how you feel.
Here’s to life in balance!
Carol Clements
